The Los Angeles Lakers were said to be taking it slow with the hiring process, but it seems they’ve already settled on a decision for their next head coach. According to league insider Shams Charania, former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick is finalizing his agreement to take over the locker room, and a formal announcement is expected soon.

“The Los Angeles Lakers are zeroing in on JJ Redick as the front-runner to be the franchise’s next head coach, league and media industry sources told The Athletic.”

While the Lakers have not officially made the hire, and there are still several steps to go, Redick is considered the safe bet to take the job and it echoes what we’ve been hearing for weeks.

“No final decision has been made yet, and the Lakers still have steps remaining in their head-coaching search process, league sources said. But the indications are strong that Redick is their leading choice at this stage,” wrote Shams.

The gig is Redick’s to lose at this point, but he’s not the only name who has emerged for the Lakers. Top Pelicans assistant James Borrego is also in contention, though as a fringe candidate behind JJ.

“The Lakers’ search has been seriously focused on two candidates — Redick and Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego — over the last couple of weeks,” Charania reported.

Redick, like Darvin Ham, has virtually no head coaching experience and it’s admittedly a major risk for the Lakers. With LeBron James at 39 years old, they can’t afford to bring in a coach who will be learning on the job. Nevertheless, it seems they feel strongly about Redick’s ability to lead the locker room and, as a former athlete, they think he’ll get through to the players in a way very few coaches can.

The Lakers Want A Long-Term Solution
The Lakers haven’t had a long-term coach since Phil Jackson in the days of Kobe Bryant. Since Phil retired in 2011, the franchise has cycled through many names including Mike D’Antoni, Byron Scott, Luke Walton, Frank Vogel, and Darvin Ham (the most recent hire).

This year, the Lakers are desperate to break the cycle and bring in a guy who can not only achieve success next season but someone who can have a prolonged period of influence over the next few decades.

“The Lakers have been seeking a coach who has the potential and staying power to be their head man for now and the long-term, as someone who will command the locker room and hold players accountable, as well as tirelessly game-plan and provide a level of structure and organization,” reported Charania. “It’s believed the franchise views Redick as the candidate who can check those boxes.”

It’s no secret that Redick has been hand-picked by LeBron. While James has no direct influence on the coaching search, his podcast with Redick put his knowledge and smarts on full display and highlighted all of the attributes he brings to the tale as a well-respected NBA veteran of 15 years.

It makes sense that the Lakers view him as a potential savior and I think he can have a major impact on both the culture in the locker room and the activity on the court. But for the Lakers to achieve the results they want, it’s the roster that will have to improve and Rob Pelinka is already hard at work trying to make it happen.

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